Síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en los trabajadores de la salud durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en un centro de salud en Barranquilla, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction

The spread of the pandemic in Colombian territory occurred heterogeneously, suggesting a potentially differential impact on the mental health of healthcare professionals who responded to the emergency.

Objective

To identify factors related to depressive and anxious symptoms in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic at a clinical center in the city of Barranquilla.

Methodology

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 71 active healthcare workers in 2022. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) were utilized to estimate the prevalence of these mental disorders.

Results

We estimated a prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms, mild or higher, at 18.3% (CI95% 10.1–29.3) and 21.1% (CI95% 12.3–33.4), respectively. Work experience, glove usage, gastrointestinal discomfort, and appetite disturbance were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, while loss of libido and appetite disturbance were linked to mild or higher anxious symptoms.

Conclusions

Depressive and anxious symptoms are common in the mental health of healthcare workers in pandemic contexts. Factors associated with these symptoms, such as the use of personal protective equipment and work experience, could be addressed through organizational management.